Smart City: Ground work to start next week

Work for developing Tajganj area under the Smart City project is set to start next week. To begin with, the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC) plans to develop sewer infrastructure in seven municipal wards and parts of three villages with an estimated cost of Rs 212 crore. At present, a survey is being conducted to determine the length and breadth of the sewer system and the areas it will cover.

According to the draft of Smart City development plan, area based development (ABD) envisions retrofitting of 2,250 acres of select local area around Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama Masjid and other parts of the old city.

According to officials of Agra Municipal Corporation, a total of seven municipal wards and parts of three villages will witness construction of infrastructure projects under the area based development plan. The Smart City project will begin with the setting up of proper sewer infrastructure. Official sources said the work plan was being charted out and the project will be implemented by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam. The first phase of work for laying sewer system will take place around the Taj Mahal with an estimated cost of Rs 59 crore. The second phase of sewer infrastructure work will cost Rs 153 crore rupees, and it will extend to the three villages that are not under the jurisdiction of Agra Municipal Corporation but are very close to the Taj Mahal.

Municipal commissioner Arun Prakash said, “Besides developing infrastructure for sewer and drains, various other projects have been proposed for Tajganj locality under the area based development plan. These include establishing a system for proper maintenance of sanitation and hygiene, 24X7 power supply, upgradation of all roads, parks and community toilets, etc. Area based development is the most significant part of the smart city project. We will ensure that quality work takes place.”

Besides this, a private company — which the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC) has selected for door-to-door garbage collection — will start providing the services from June 20. According to sanitation officials, the private company has already purchased 50 vehicles to be deployed for garbage collection in 15 wards around the 17th century monument, which sees significant footfall of domestic, as well as foreign, tourists.”